Chapter XXXV: Preparation for Communion

THE foregoing example explains also the spirit in which we should prepare ourselves for Holy Communion. Many have an idea that the proper preparation consists in saying many prayers out of a prayer-book, or going through the various acts of faith, hope, charity, and contrition which they find laid down for the purpose.

This is all very well if those acts are made at the same time with the heart; that is, with real, genuine sincerity, knowing what they mean, and meaning to do what they say. Merely reciting them over, with the idea that this is all that is required, is a very poor preparation indeed.

They may be read over with some feeling, and yet we may not have a sincere disposition to love God and keep His commandments. One may have no disposition to amend his faults, may even think that this feeling good a little while until after Communion is over is enough, and will leave him free to live a life of sin until he sets to work to feel good again, in order to prepare for another Communion.

False piety of this kind is an abomination in the eyes of God. “This people honoreth Me with their lips, while their heart is far from Me” (St. Matt. xv. 8).

The true preparation for Communion consists, first, in being in a state of grace; or, in other words, being free from mortal sin. To receive Communion knowingly in the state of mortal sin is a sacrilege, or unworthy treatment of the Holy Sacrament — a very grievous sin itself— for, as the Holy Ghost says: “What fellowship can there be between justice and injustice?” (2 Cor. vi. 14).

How can God come into the heart which belongs to Satan? This is what the holy Apostle, St. Paul, speaks of, calling it “unworthy communion.” “He that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s Body” (1 Cor. xi. 28).

To the evil disposed, who have no sincere disposition to continue always free from mortal sin, I would say: Take care how you receive. Turn about; change your hearts; cleanse your souls from sin before you presume to take the Lord’s Body, that you may not eat and drink judgment or damnation to yourselves.

To the good girl, who lives habitually in the grace of God, I would say: You are already prepared. You could even go to Communion without confession; but I know very well you would not desire to do that, for even if it be not required to confess, you would wish to do it, and to be as well prepared as possible.

Make, then, with pure heart, confession of your faults, humbly desiring to amend them all, small as well as great. If any kind of cursing, be it ever so light, has fallen from your mouth, determine to stop it. If temper has overcome you sometimes, resolve to keep in mind the sweetness that Jesus desires of you; to put down impatience, murmuring, and all such things. Determine to watch over and correct faults of neglect, wastefulness, and carelessness in performing your duty.

Make up your mind that truth, in all things, shall be told, and lying and deceitfulness be trodden under your feet, as unworthy one who receives the God of truth.

With such desires and such resolutions approach your confession, and you will make just the preparation the Holy Ghost puts in the mouth of King David: “I will wash my hands in innocence, and so will I approach Thy altar, O my God” (Ps. xxvi. 6). You will wash your heart with the Blood of Christ in holy Confession; come out of it pure and innocent, and approach the altar, lovely in the eyes of the Lamb of God, Jesus, who loves above all things the whiteness of innocence, and purity from the stains of sin.

After Confession bear in mind that the time for your Communion is near, remember Who it is that is coming to visit you, and consider it the greatest and happiest event of your lives. Now is a good time to make acts of faith, contrition, love, humility, etc., either out of a book, or, if you can, out of your own hearts.

Promise, over and over again, to the Lord, that you will be for ever a most true and faithful servant of His, and that it shall be the study of your lives to observe such conduct and do such things as you think will be most pleasing to Him.

These generous resolutions will be most pleasing to Jesus, and as good a preparation as you could make. An entire offering of your whole heart and soul, mind and body, will and understanding, to be guided and governed by the holy will of Jesus Christ, made with your whole soul, will be the most acceptable offering you can make your Lord when you receive Him. This is enough to say about the preparation of the soul.

In respect to the body, you know you must be fasting from food and drink from midnight before the morning of your Communion. Should you have accidentally taken anything it is no sin, but you will have to put off your Communion until another day.